Campese in Twitter sexism row

FORMER Wallaby David Campese has apologised for making a sexist remark about Fairfax Media's rugby union correspondent, Georgina Robinson.

FORMER Wallaby David Campese has apologised for making a sexist remark about Fairfax Media's rugby union correspondent, Georgina Robinson.

Having caused a stir with his comments via social networking site Twitter, the ex-winger sent a message to Fairfax Media on Wednesday night via text message from South Africa which read: ''Please pass on to Georgina that I am sorry about the comment. Thanks David.''

Campese had been slammed by current and former players for questioning whether a female journalist should cover rugby.

''Why does the smh get a girl to write about rugby,'' Campese posted on Twitter. ''[Former Fairfax Media rugby union journalist Greg] Growden who was great jornio [sic] and now we have someone who has no idea about the game.'' Campese later tweeted: ''Sometimes it is good to see some people react to thing you say. Please relax and see the light side of life. All press are the same.''

Georgina Robinson is currently reporting on the Wallabies' tour of Europe. She has been reporting on rugby on a full-time basis for Fairfax Media since September last year and covered the Rugby World Cup, Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship.

Campese deleted the tweet but was roundly condemned for it.

Wallaby David Pocock tweeted: ''Really sad to see journos attacked based on their gender. Or a grown woman referred to as a 'girl' #destroyingthejoint.''

Dual international Wendell Sailor wrote: ''Well good morning to u Campo & i have to say u are on ur own with this comment it's 2012 champ''.

A vocal critic of Australian coach Robbie Deans, who is under pressure due to the Wallabies' roller-coaster form, Campese later tried to explain his initial tweet.

''I was trying to say is that the coach is under pressure and sometimes males give it to the coach as some females go a lot easier on them,'' he wrote.

The managing editor of sport for Fairfax Media, Ian Fuge, said Robinson was an excellent sports journalist. ''Fairfax Media is lucky to have Georgina,'' he said. ''I couldn't be happier with the quality of her coverage of the rugby round and nor could our readers.''